Introducing the June Block of the Month

Crazy House* block is the June Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt Block. Like all blocks in this year’s block of the month challenge, this block is 15″ (finished size) and is created using quick strip-piecing techniques. Simple!

During this 12-month block of the month challenge, all blocks will be made from one 24-piece fat quarter bundle and 2-1/4 yards of cream background fabric. We’re using the fat quarter bundle, Garnet,it’s my most recent fabric line from Penny Rose, a division of Riley Blake Designs. You’re definitely welcome to use another collection of fabric, or fabrics from your stash!

Choose the Fabrics

For the Crazy House block, select the following fabrics from your Garnet fat-quarter bundle. If you’ve chosen another fabric collection, select one medium tone, one dark tone, one light tone, and the background fabric, for a total of four fabrics.

Cut

One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ light square (pink)

Eight 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ medium squares (paisley)

Four 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ background squares (cream)

Four 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ dark squares (garnet)

One strip 3-7/8″ x 18″ background fabric

One strip 3-7/8″ x 18″ medium fabric (paisley)

Subcut

Layer the background and paisley strips, matching right sides.

Cut four pairs of squares measuring 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″.

Half Square Triangles (HSTs)

Align block sets right sides together. A print is paired with a solid block.

Mark each block set diagonally from corner to corner, using a fabric marking pen and ruler.

For greatest accuracy, use a No-Hassle Triangle Gauge. The left side of the gauge is designed to create the 3-1/2″ HST blocks used in this month’s block.

Depress the button on the sliding portion of the gauge and move to the 3-1/2″ HST icon on the left side of the gauge.

Place gauge on the block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with a fine-point, fabric-marking pen.

The advantage of using the No-Hassle Triangle Gaugeis accuracy. It’s easy to double check that the block set fits within the confines of the gauge. If the block set extends beyond or is shorter, trim or cut another block.

Stitch Half-Square Triangle Block Sets

Attach a 1/4″ patchwork/quilting foot.

Set machine for a straight stitch, 2.0–2.5 mm in length.

Align foot along one side of the center marked line; stitch a scant 1/4″ from center marked line. Do not cut the threads.

Kiss the next block set to the stitched block and chain stitch from one block to the other.

Share Your Success!

If you are on social sites, let all your friends know you are working on Nancy Zieman’s2017 Fat Quarter Mystery Quilt by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZBoM. Share your finished blocks with Nancy and her team by emailing them to [email protected].

During the 2015 Quilt Adventure and the 2016 Quilt Extravaganza, I shared three virtual quilt designs made with the month’s single block. This year, I’m changing it up and sharing block color variations of one block. Please note that the fabrics required for color-varied blocks will be slightly different than the original block of the month directions presented.

Take Your Block to the Next Level

Visualize an entire quilt made from this block. Each block will measure 15″ square when sewn into a quilt. The first quilt presented is a the Crazy House block in a traditional on-point setting.Read more on finishing the quilt in my book Fearless Quilting Finishes.

Notice the subtle differences in these four color variations of the Crazy House block.

13 Comments

Love it! I’m a new visitor to this website and I like the material here, I got inspired!

Linda HeightJune 22, 2017

I’m having a great time doing this and I love this months block. Thanks Nancy

Rita NystromJune 22, 2017

I’m having a ball doing the Block of the Month however, I believe there’s an error this month. Only need to cut one 3 7/8 x 18 ” strip of the two colors, not two.

Nancy ZiemanJune 22, 2017

Hi Rita,
Great catch! Thanks for letting us know. We’ve updated the text to cut one each from two different fabrics. Email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you three fat quarters.

Carolyn NewsomeJune 20, 2017

The color blocked 4-piece tote would be my choice. All my life (70+ years) I’ve purchased .25 yd of fabric. This would make a good use of at least 4 of them. I could even use a 5th one to make a sash.
I’m delighted to find Nancy’s blog. I’ve watched the PBS broadcast for many, many years. Thank you, Nancy.

SherryJune 19, 2017

Once again the fabrics shown on the first page (finished block) are not the same as the ones shown further into the block. It seems that you changed the dark red. It’s very confusing, but I have been using the one shown in the later pages rather than the one on the first page. Could someone please proof-read the instructions?

I love the fabric and the patterns and thank you very much for everything. I tend to cut first and look later so it would help if it could be corrected.

Nancy ZiemanJune 22, 2017

Hi Sherry,
Thanks for letting us know! We’ve updated the fabric photos to match the block. Please email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you three fat quarters.

Łinda RupeJune 19, 2017

I love this fabric collection! Iam reminded that when i was a child I asked my mother if i could have a garnet birthstone set rather than the ruby because the color was deeper, richer and prettier to me at the time. (I learned to appreciate rubies later.)

Julie KillJune 19, 2017

love this block! I’m going to make a quilt with this one!

Juanita WitcherJune 17, 2017

I missed the April block, is there any way to resend that block to me please and thanks.